Humic acids from lignite. 2. Alkaline permanganate oxidation

Abstract

4 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, 16 references.The potassium permanganate oxidation of methylated humic acid from a Spanish lignite yielded mainly straight-chain alkanes together with a mixture of fatty acids, methyl straight-chain alkyl ketones, aliphatic dicarboxylic, phenolic and benzenecarboxylic acids. Furthermore, some unusual compounds such as dehydroabietic and bromohydroxybenzoic acids and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate were also identified. Although the analytical characteristics permit them to be included within the concept of humic acids, the oxidation products are closer to those from organic geochemical substances such as kerogen.Peer reviewe